whether he's a genuine what? poster? what's the alternative? that he's an automated bot that produces opinions on cale morton ?
no it's not. in the context, the poster's identity is irrelevant to the story. the only qualification is that the poster be a melbourne supporter with an opinion. it makes no difference whether robbie57 is a 14-y.o girl or a 73 y.o grandfather
if - for example - the forum was comprised only of former melbourne players, then you'd have an argument for unmasking the poster's identity. if the journo wrote "a former player has demanded mark neeld be sacked" the public would rightly be curious whether it was a recent player, or a premiership champion, or someone who's always been embittered etc etc. but in thist context it doesn't matter diddly squat whether robbie 57 is arthur or martha, they're a melbourne supporter with an opinion
really don't know why you're making such a song and dance about attribution and identity. if talkback is flooded with callers baying for neeld's blood does it really matter whether its kevin from sunshine who's on the phone or ivan from ivanhoe?